France
Bonjour Corsica! A Voyage on the MV La Belle des Océans
Program No. 24632RJ
Discover the beautiful island of Corsica on a journey that begins in Nice and sails along the iconic coast of the island during this Floating Campus on board the MV La Belle des Océans!
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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
12 days
11 nights
26 meals
10B 7L 9D
At a Glance
The ancient Greeks referred to Corsica as “Kalliste,” or the “most beautiful” — but there’s so much more to Corsica than its breathtaking landscapes! Discover the art, culture, cuisine and history of this idyllic French island during a voyage on board the MV La Belle des Océans, part of Road Scholar’s Floating Campus. We’ll have the ship to ourselves on this learning adventure that begins and ends in Nice, France, and allows you to explore Corsica from north to south. Delight in the historic landmarks and cultural gems of cities like Ajaccio, Bonaficio and Porto-Vecchio as your onboard instructors offer their insight into the region through lectures, Q&A sessions and casual discussions. In true campus style, take part in onboard activities like a book club or photography instruction, and get to know other Road Scholars who share your love for learning and exploration.
Activity Level
Choose Your Pace
Choose from two or more options of activity levels to find your perfect pace.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Spend time in the beautiful city of Nice before your voyage begins to explore the old town, Russian church, flower market and much more.
- Sail along the Gulf of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic red cliffs and natural beauty.
- Explore the city of Ajaccio — once home to Napoleon Bonaparte — the historic streets and fortress of Bonaficio and the impressive waterfront of Porto-Vecchio.
- Enjoy the camaraderie of other Road Scholars as you take part in private lectures, unique field trips and educational activities on board this exclusive Floating Campus voyage.
General Notes
This learning adventure is part of Road Scholar’s Floating Campus. You’ll enjoy a true campus feel as we have the entire ship to ourselves and welcome a maximum of 100 Road Scholars, and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups of 35. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions. Enjoy a book club, onboard activities, a live performance and the camaraderie that can only be found with an entire ship full of fellow Road Scholars! Please note that we need a minimum number of participants to enroll in this program to have exclusive use of the ship. In the unlikely event we do not meet the minimum number, then the cruise line may have its own passengers on the ship, though they will not be part of any Road Scholar activities.
Suggested Reading List
(11 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Bonjour Corsica! A Voyage on the MV La Belle des Océans
Program Number: 24632
The House at Zaronza
In a remote Corsican village, a bundle of hidden letters from the 1900s comes to light more than a hundred years later.
The French Riviera, A Cultural History
From Roman outpost to Napoleonic battleground and playground for the rich and famous, this marvelously informed cultural guide covers the place of the Riviera in history, literature, art, architecture and the imagination.
Granite Island: Portrait of Corsica
"Granite Island", much more than a travel book, grew out of years spent in Corsica and is an incomparably vivid and delightful portrait.
Eyewitness Top 10 Corsica (Pocket Travel Guide)
Planning is a breeze with the book's simple lists of ten, covering the very best that Corsica has to offer, this pocket-friendly format is light and easily portable.
A Traveler's History of Cote D'Azur
This book begins with Cote d'Azur's early days and moves through to the present in a comprehensive, but concise, easily readable form. It should help travelers relate what they are seeing today to what it was before.
Napoleon: A Life
Andrew Roberts’s Napoleon is the first one-volume biography to take advantage of the recent publication of Napoleon’s thirty-three thousand letters, which radically transform our understanding of his character and motivation.
J'accuse
Nice has long been seen by some as a place with a different side to the sunny holiday vibe, a place full of organized crime and official corruption. This short book from 1982 denounces Nice’s corruption – it’s other title is Nice Côté Ombre (The Dark Side of Nice).
The Corsican Caper
When billionaire Francis Reboul finds himself on the wrong side of a Russian tycoon, he’s fortunate to have vacationing friends Sam Levitt and Elena Morales on hand to help him out. This book is rich with clever twists and sparkling scenery as only Peter Mayle can write them.
Pardon My French, Unleash Your Inner Gaul
A transplanted Englishman, Tomney reveals how to get by in French (and in France) through this wickedly funny A-to-Z of words and phrases.
F is for France: A Curious Cabinet of French Wonders
An alphabetized catalogue of quirky French culture and history tidbits.
Insight Guides; Explore Nice & the French Riviera
Explore Nice and the French Riviera is part of a new series and is the ideal pocket companion when discovering this colorful and glamorous part of southern France.
